Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1887-05-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. Nav 23rd, I

w ASH1NGTON, MAY zoTu, 1901.
This is Washington's gala week.
1t will be filed with martial music,
soldiers. visitors and events-brilli-
ant pageants, exciting competitive
drills. reviews and street parades.
Probably never since the final days
Of the war, when the armies of the
Potomac and of the West marched
through the great thoroughfare of
this city, has there been so fine a
military display as is promised us
during the present week.
The soldiers now encamped around
the base of the Washington Monu-
ment represent thirty-one States,
and they are the flower of the coun-
try. Many of the organizations are
noted for their excellent discipline,
and have won trophies in State and
interstate drill contests. The same
ground on which the soldiers of the
war spread their tents and camped
has been assigned as quarters for
the visiting battalions and regi-
ments, and every appointment for
convenience on the field has been
perfected, as we'll as throughout the
city for the care of the thousands of
visitors Incidental to the occasion.
The Drill opened today, but this
was the practical business day Of
the meeting. The last arrivals Of
troops were assigned to their loca
tions on the camp ground, the camp
was formally christened "Camp
George Washington" orders were
issued by General Augur, the COM
mandant of the camp, and at five
o'clock there was formal opening
of the entertainment by dress par
ade by all of the assembled troops.
Tomorrow the competitive drills will
commence.
Tt takes quite a good deal of
money to run the dining room and
kitchen erected on the drill ground
for this occasion. The kitchen is
capable of preparing food for four
thousand persons at time, and is
fitted up with the largest range in
the city. The dining room seats
twelve hundred men, allowing seven
teen inches of room for each, and
the caterer who purchased this priv
ilege says he can reset the tables
every twenty-five minutes. The
amount of crockery is very large,
nearly fifty thousand pieces. About
nineteen hundred of the soldiers are
attempting to do their own cooking
on account OF the bad treatment
they have received heretofore while
attending other drills. The caterer
hopes however, to win all of them
over to his establishment by doing
well by the soldiers. He is under
contract with the Drill committee to
charge his military patrons only one
dollar for three meals. Others he
can charge what he pleases.
Wednesday,, the 18th, and Mon
day, the 30th, Decoration day. will
be the two great days of the camp
in popular estimation. Wednesday
will be Governors day, on which the
Governors of different States, with
their Stats, will surround the Presi-
dent on grand stand in front of
the White House and review the
troops. On Decoration day the
soldiers in camp will join the process
sion to Arlington, the National
cemetery, and with the Grand Army
of the Republic, take part in the
exercises of the day. In the after
noon of the same day the prizes and
trophies, the flags and stands of
colors, the medals and cash prem
lums will be presented to the sue
cessful competitors and then the
camp will break up. The victors
will receive their "spoils," of course,
from the hands of the President.